Systems, methods and computer program products for providing enhanced chat services

ABSTRACT

A method for providing messaging services includes accessing an organization structure of an organization; creating chat services user accounts in response to the organization structure of the organization; creating groups of users in response to the organization structure of the organization, the groups comprising a chat group and a broadcast chat group; wherein the chat group provides bidirectional messaging from each member of the chat group to each other member of the chat group; wherein broadcast chat group provides unidirectional messaging from a broadcast group owner to each other member of the broadcast chat group.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to messaging services, and moreparticularly to systems, methods and computer program products forproviding enhanced chat services in a business environment.

Existing messaging services, such as chat systems, are useful forproviding communications between users. In a business context, however,existing messaging systems have drawbacks. Some existing messagingsystems are based off social media platforms and require that users beassociated with each other (e.g., friends or buddies) in order toprovide messaging services. This requires users to be associated with(e.g., “friend”) a business in order to enable messaging services. Usersare often reluctant to add a business to their social network contacts,and thus businesses are not able to reach many users of conventionalmessaging services.

Large businesses may develop and launch their own mobile applications,and include push notifications to users who have installed theapplication on a device (e.g., a mobile device or personal computer).Unfortunately, most businesses do not have the resources to develop andlaunch a specialized application in order to reach customers.

Accordingly, improved messaging services, particularly for businesses,would be well received in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alikein the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 depicts a system for providing enhanced messaging services inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts creation of chat groups in an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts creation of broadcast chat groups in an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts creation of a broadcast chat group in an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts creation of a chat group in an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 depicts creation of a chat sub-group in an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts sending a broadcast chat message to selected members of abroadcast chat group in an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 depicts organizing users as internal users or external users inan example embodiment;

FIG. 9 depicts reporting chat parameters in an example embodiment;

FIG. 10 depicts providing customer chat services in an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 11 depicts managing customer service agents for customer chatservices in an example embodiment;

FIG. 12 depicts managing user login on multiple devices in an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 13 depicts installation and execution of a user chat application inan example embodiment;

FIG. 14 depicts use of machine readable codes in an example embodiment;

FIG. 15 depicts a chat services payment account in an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 16 depicts messages with embedded executable commands in an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 17 depicts messages with variable fields in an example embodiment;

FIG. 18 depicts management of coupons in an example embodiment;

FIG. 19 depicts messages with embedded executable commands in the formof interactive emojis in an example embodiment;

FIG. 20 depicts an interactive emoji conversation in an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 21 depicts interacting with an interactive emoji in an exampleembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for providing enhanced messaging services,such as chat services, in accordance with an example embodiment. Thesystem 100 includes a chat server 102 and user devices 104communicatively coupled to one or more networks 106. The chat server 102may be operated by an enterprise hosting the chat services. In oneembodiment, the chat server 102 may be operated by a business enterprisethat provides a user chat application and provides chat services tousers of the user chat application. The chat server 102 executes a chatservices application to provide the functions described herein. The chatserver 102 may be implemented as a high-speed computer processingdevice, (e.g., a mainframe computer). In an embodiment, the chat server102 includes typical computer server components including a processor,memory and a network interface. Although a single chat server 102 isdepicted in FIG. 1, it is understood that chat server 102 may beimplemented using multiple computing systems. Chat server 102 may alsobe implemented using a distributed computing network (e.g., cloudcomputing architecture).

The user devices 104 may be computer processing devices operated byusers of the chat services. The user devices 104 may include wirelessmobile devices, such as a tablet PC or smartphone, as well as wireddevices, such as a general-purpose computer or laptop. The user devices104 may be equipped with communications components (e.g., cellular, LAN,wireless LAN, NFC, Bluetooth, USB, etc.) for communicating over wirelessor wired communications mediums. In an embodiment, the user devices 104include typical components including a processor, memory and a networkinterface. The user devices 104 execute a user chat application toprovide functionality described herein.

The chat server 102 executes the chat services application to distributemessages to user devices 104. Chat messages are created at a user device104. Each recipient of a message is associated with a unique ID(identification, which is in turn associated with a unique IP address)assigned to each user by the chat server 102. When a user sends amessage from a user device 104, the message is received by chat server102 and then posted to the account(s) associated with the unique ID ofthe recipient(s).

Network 106 may include a variety of network elements, including areanetworks, private networks, and the Internet. The networks may includewireless networks, such as cellular, satellite and terrestrial networks.Communications may be conducted between the chat server 102 and the userdevices 104 via wireless transmissions, such as ultra mobile broadband(UMB), long term evolution (LTE), and IEEE 802.11, as well as via wiredlinks, such as twisted pair link, a T1/E1 phone line, an AC line, anoptical fiber line, and coaxial cable, to name a few. In exampleembodiments, the user devices 104 communicate over multiple independentwired and/or wireless networks. Embodiments are intended to cover a widevariety of types of communication between the user devices 104 and thechat server 102. Thus, embodiments are not limited to the examplesprovided in this disclosure.

The chat server 102 provides chat services by executing one or morecomputer programs stored in memory. The chat server 102 executes a chatservices application that provides for sending messages between userdevices 104 and also allows an administrator of an organization todefine various messaging parameters. One or more user devices 104 mayaccess the chat server 102 as an administrator by submitting appropriatecredentials (e.g., user name and password).

The chat server 102 allows an administrator to define groups in responseto the organization of the entity utilizing the chat services. Thecreation of user accounts and creation of groups may be implementedusing a top-down approach, using the organization structure of theorganization (company, school, medical office, government office, etc.).FIG. 2 depicts an example organization structure for an organization(e.g., a private business). An administrator may create a directory ofuser accounts for every employee who needs chat services. The directoryof user accounts for chat services is based off an organization employeelist and individual employees cannot remove themselves from thedirectory of user accounts for chat services.

Based on the organization structure of the organization, theadministrator creates groups of users, including chat groups andbroadcast chat groups. A chat group is a messaging group that allows allmembers of the messaging group to send messages and reply to messages tomembers of that chat group (e.g., bidirectional messaging). A message ina chat group includes a list of recipients viewable by members of thatchat group. All members in a chat group are aware of each other'spresence in the chat group. The chat group may have a chat group ownerwho has the authority to add and remove users from the chat group.

A broadcast chat group is a messaging group that allows an owner of thatbroadcast chat group to send messages to members of that group. Thebroadcast chat group may have a broadcast chat group owner who has theauthority to add and remove users from the broadcast chat group. In abroadcast chat group, the individual members (other than the owner)cannot send a message to the broadcast chat group nor can the individualmembers reply to a message sent to the broadcast chat group (e.g.,unidirectional messaging from group owner to other members). Also, theindividual members (other than the owner) cannot view a recipient listof a message sent to the broadcast chat group. In other words, a messagein a broadcast chat group does not include a list of recipients. Allmembers in a broadcast chat group are not aware of each other's presencein the broadcast chat group.

In the example in FIG. 2, a president chat group is formed between thepresident and a level of managers directly below the president. Managerchat groups are formed between each manager and their respectiveemployees.

In the example in FIG. 3, a president broadcast chat group is formedbetween the president and a level of managers directly below thepresident. Manager broadcast chat groups are formed between each managerand their respective employees.

The chat server 102 allows creation of a wide variety of messaginggroups. In the example in FIG. 4, a multi-level broadcast chat group iscreated for the president to reach all employees. The president is thegroup owner and all the manager broadcast chat groups (see FIG. 3) aremembers of the president broadcast chat group. FIG. 4 depicts an exampleof a broadcast chat group being a member of another broadcast chatgroup. In other words, the users in each manager broadcast chat group(FIG. 3) are also members of the president broadcast chat group (FIG.4).

In the example in FIG. 5, a multi-level chat group is created for thepresident to reach all employees. All the manager chat groups (see FIG.2) are members of the president chat group. FIG. 5 depicts an example ofa chat group being a member of another chat group. In other words, theusers in each manager chat group (FIG. 2) are also members of thepresident chat group (FIG. 5).

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a sub-group. Any chat group member(including the chat group owner) is able to select a subset of othergroup members to construct a new chat sub-group. As shown in FIG. 6,member 4 of an existing chat group forms a chat sub-group includingmembers 2, 4, 5, 7 and 11. Member 4 is the owner of the chat sub-group.This chat sub-group is an independent new chat group with no associationwith the original chat group.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of how an owner of a broadcast chat group canselectively send messages to members of the broadcast chat group. Theowner of a broadcast chat group can select a subset of total members todeliver a new broadcast message. As shown in FIG. 7, the owner hasexcluded members 1, N and 6 from receiving the broadcast message. Afterthe first message is sent, the owner has the option to create a newbroadcast chat group, or no new group created (i.e., one time sub-groupmessaging).

FIG. 8 depicts how users of the chat messaging services may be arrangedas internal users or external users. Members of the organization (e.g.,employees) are listed on an internal list, while a non-members of theorganization (customer, client, etc.) are listed on an external list.The internal list may correspond to an organization contact listmaintained by an administrator. The internal list may be augmented witha variety of lists including company report chain list, customer listbased on associated sales persons, etc. An invitation of an externalmember from outside the organization results in an external group type.

The hierarchical arrangement of messaging groups allows for messagingactivity to be reported within an organization. FIG. 9 depicts anexample of a chat group formed between a sales manager, salesman and acustomer. Messaging activity of this chat group is collected by the chatserver 102. The messaging activity (e.g., number of messages, date/timeof messages, from-to, subject field, etc.) for this chat group mayreported periodically on a regular basis or on demand to users at ahigher level in the organization structure.

The chat server 102 also provides for using chat services for customersupport. FIG. 10 depicts one or more customers interacting with one ormore customer service agents using chat services supported by the chatserver 102. An organization may create a user account and chat addressfor the organization. Customers can send a chat message to theorganization's chat address to initiate a chat session. Multiplecustomer service agents can login to the company chat account from theirown device (Mobile/Web/PC/Mac) simultaneously. The chat request from anexternal party (e.g., customer) is presented to all the customer serviceagents. Once one customer service agent responds to the customer chat,then that chat session is immediately switched to a one-to-one chatsession between the customer service agent and the customer.

FIG. 11 depicts an example of how multiple customer service agents areconnected to the chat server 102. The chat server 102 executes acustomer service agent login manager (e.g., a program stored in memory).A customer service agent sends a login request to the customer serviceagent login manager (ALM). The customer service ALM returns an accesscode to the customer service agent and keeps track of the login statusof the customer service agent. The customer service agent may then loginto the chat service using the access code and granted access to thecustomer chat services. The ALM also handles the customer chat trafficand adds/removes active customer service agents from the customer chatservices based on the customer demand in real-time.

In some embodiments, users may log into their messaging account usingmultiple devices. FIG. 12 depicts an example where a user can log intochat server 102 using two devices. One device may be a mobile device(e.g., a mobile phone; iOS, Android, etc.) and the other device may be adesktop running a web version of the user messaging application througha browser (e.g., PC/Windows or Mac App version). The chat server 102assigns each logged in device a unique device ID. To login to a seconddevice, the user's first device will receive a message and generate asecurity access code. If the user tries to sign in from a third device(e.g., a second mobile or second desktop device) the existing logged indevice of the same type will be forced to log out. If a user is loggedin on both a mobile device and a desktop device, the mobile-desktopdevices are paired, and the chat content synchronized between the twodevices independent to the device login time.

FIG. 13 depicts process flows for installing a user chat application ona user device 104 and for subsequent login. The user chat applicationruns on a user device 104 (mobile and/or desktop) and provides a userinterface for messaging services, defining chat groups, etc. The userchat application interfaces with the chat server 102.

The process to install the user chat application begins at 205 where auser receives a message (e.g., email, text, etc.) with a link to theuser chat application and an access code. The access code is created bythe chat server 102, and uniquely identifies the user. The link to theuser chat application may direct the user to a website where the userchat application can be downloaded and installed, as shown at 210. Onceexecuted on the user device 104, the user enters the access code asshown at 215 and then begins running the user chat application at 220.

If the user logs out of the user chat application, they need asubsequent access code to log back into the user chat application.Referring to FIG. 13, at 240 the user enters an identifier, such as anemail address or mobile phone number. At 245, the user receives amessage (e.g., email, text, etc.) with a new access code. The userenters the access code as shown at 250 and then begins running the userchat application at 255.

The use of an access code as a means of identification andauthentication for messaging services is beneficial in situations whereusers are reluctant to provide personal information. If a user wishes tobe anonymous, the user could use a generic email account (e.g.,me@gmail.com) to receive the access code and then install and run theuser chat application. This is far less intrusive than chat servicesbased on social media or other systems that require additional personalinformation. Also, no user passwords are needed as the access codeenables functionality of the user chat application.

The user chat application executing on the user device 104 may generateand/or read machine readable codes to facilitate a variety of functions.Machine readable codes may include QR codes, bar codes, etc. FIG. 14depicts examples of how machine readable codes may be used to performfunctions within the user chat application. One QR code may be used toinvite a user to become a contact within the user chat application. Theuser chat application executing on a user device 104 generates a machinereadable code corresponding to that user's account. Thus, a user canquickly invite another user to become a contact by simply presentingtheir personal machine readable code.

Another QR code may be used to invite a user to join a group (e.g.,broadcast group or chat group). In the example of FIG. 14, a firstentity (e.g., a golf course owner) provides a display of a QR code (forexample, in the pro shop). Users that read the QR code with their userdevice 104 (executing the user chat application) automatically join abroadcast chat group owned by the golf course owner. The golf clubcourse can now distribute coupons, announcements, event notifications,videos, pictures, etc. to the user. This allows a non-intrusivemechanism for businesses and other organizations to reach customers.

In another example in FIG. 14, a coffee shop presents a QR code used todistribute a coupon. Users that read the QR code with their user device104 (executing the user chat application) receive a coupon via a messagein their user chat application. Embodiments are not limited to themachine readable codes and examples shown in FIG. 14.

The user chat application may also include built in payment processingfunctionality. FIG. 15 depicts two users of the user chat application(Alex and Michael). A user's chat account 400 may be associated with auser-created chat payment account 402. The chat payment account 402 mayinclude a digital wallet component, which is associated with paymentsources 404, such as a bank account and/or credit card. The chat paymentaccount 402 is used to send/receive money to/from other users of theuser chat application.

The chat payment account 402 allows for a number of functions, includinga set of chat commands as a request-response pair for a user's chatpayment account 402. Funds may be transferred from the bank account orcredit card account to the chat payment account 402. The chat account400 may interface with the chat payment account 402 to providepermission to make a payment, security questions setup/applied,threshold to security level, check the balance instantly for atransaction, check the payment/receiving transaction history, setupautopay accounts, alert generation, etc.

Another aspect of embodiments includes the ability for messages (whetherdirect, broadcast chat group or chat group) to include embeddedexecutable commands that will automatically generate a response to themessage sender or cause some other action. FIG. 16 depicts examples ofmessages have embedded executable commands. In a first example, aone-to-one chat message from Dr. Clark to a patient Duncan includes anembedded executable command in the form of a confirmation command. Ifthe recipient selects the embedded executable command user their userdevice 104, the user chat application executing on the user device 104generates and sends a reply message that is automatically sent to theoriginator of the message (Dr. Clark).

A second example in FIG. 16 illustrates a chat group message being sentto a group of recipients. The chat group message includes two embeddedexecutable commands corresponding to a yes and no reply. When arecipient of the chat group message selects one of the embeddedexecutable commands, the user chat application executing on the userdevice 104 generates and sends the corresponding yes or no reply to thechat group owner. The user messaging application executing on the groupowner's device 104 (or the chat server 102) may keep a running tally ofthe yes and no reply messages.

Embodiments also provide for customization of messages. FIG. 17 depictsbroadcast chat group, where a chairman of an organization is owner of abroadcast chat group. The members of the broadcast chat group are knownby the chat server 102. The broadcast chat message, generated by theowner of the broadcast chat group, may include a variable field that ispopulated by the chat server 102. When the broadcast chat message issent, the chat server 102 populates the variable field for eachrecipient based on their user profile on the chat server 102. In theexample of FIG. 17, the variable field in the broadcast chat message isthe recipient's first name. Thus, each recipient receives the broadcastchat message with their unique first name populated by the chat server102. Variable fields may be incorporated in the chat group messages aswell as broadcast group messages.

Embodiments also provide for coupon management. FIG. 18 depictsmanagement of coupons in an example embodiment. The chat server 102allows an owner of a business to create and store coupons in a couponbook. FIG. 18 depicts an example of a coupon book for a hair salon. Thecoupon book 500 is stored as a database on a user device 104 and/or onthe chat server 102 and can be manipulated by the business owner. Thecoupons may be distributed to user devices 104 who are contacts of thebusiness owner via a broadcast chat message as shown at 502. The couponbook 500 identifies each coupon with an identifier and also tracks howmany users the coupon has been sent to, how many users have read thecoupon, how many coupons have been redeemed and a coupon expirationdate. The user device 104 and/or chat server 102 also stores a profile504 of users who are contacts with a business owner. The profile 504 mayinclude fields to indicate which contacts have been sent a coupon,whether the contact read the coupon, whether the contact redeemed thecoupon and the coupon expiration date. The profile 504 is helpful inidentifying users who react to coupons and those who do not.

A coupon book is also created for each user. As shown in FIG. 18, when auser receives a coupon via a chat message 600, an entry is created in auser coupon book 602. The user coupon book 602 may be stored on the userdevice 104 and/or on the chat server 102. The user coupon book 602 mayinclude fields to indicate a coupon identifier, when the coupon wassent, whether the user read the coupon, whether the user redeemed thecoupon and the coupon expiration date.

FIG. 19 depicts messages with embedded executable commands in an exampleembodiment similar to FIG. 16, where in the embedded interactive commandis in the form of an interactive emoji. An emoji may be a single picturecharacter, such as those that have become popular to add to textmessages and posts within private text messages and social networkposts. Chat messages (whether direct, broadcast chat group or chatgroup) may include one or more interactive emojis that willautomatically generate a response to the message sender or cause someother action in response to recipient interaction with the interactiveemoji. The operations depicted in FIG. 19 may be implemented by the userchat applications executing on the user devices 104 of User A and UserB. FIG. 19 depicts examples of messages have embedded executablecommands in the form of an interactive emoji 700. An original messagefrom USER A includes an interactive emoji 700. When USER B interactswith the interactive emoji 700, a reply message is generated. Forexample, if USER B performs a tap on the interactive emoji 700, the userchat application creates a reply emoji 702 that changes appearance ofthe interactive emoji and optionally adds a sound clip (e.g., “I loveyou”) in an automated voice or the recipient's voice (e.g., a voiceresponse synthesized from USER B's voice). In another example, if USER Bperforms a long tap on the interactive emoji 700, the user chatapplication creates a reply emoji 704 that changes appearance of theinteractive emoji and optionally adds a sound clip (e.g., “I love you somuch”) in an automated voice or the recipient's voice. In anotherexample, if USER B performs a sweep right on the interactive emoji 700,the user chat application creates a reply emoji 706 that changesappearance of the interactive emoji and optionally adds a sound clip(e.g., “I miss you”) in an automated voice or the recipient's voice. Inanother example, if USER B performs a sweep left on the interactiveemoji 700, the user chat application creates a reply emoji 708 thatchanges appearance of the interactive emoji and optionally adds a soundclip (e.g., “I hate you”) in an automated voice or the recipient'svoice.

The reply emojis 702, 704, 706 and 708 may also be interactive emojis,so that upon receipt of the reply emoji 702, 704, 706 or 708 by thesender (USER A) of the initial interactive emoji 700, the sender couldthen interact with the reply emoji to create a new message sent back toUSER B. Communication back and forth between the sender(s) andrecipient(s) may continue by interactive emojis that are altered inresponse to user interaction with a received interactive emoji. FIG. 20depicts an interactive emoji conversation between User A and User B,implemented by the user chat application executing on user devices 104.At 800, User A sends an interactive emoji to User B. At 802, User Breceives the interactive emoji, which includes sound clip of “I loveyou!”. At 804, User B interacts with the interactive emoji 802 with along tap to generate interactive emoji 804, that includes a sound clipof “I love you too!”. Interactive emoji 804 is sent to User A at 806. At808, User A interacts with the interactive emoji 806 with a sweep rightto generate interactive emoji 808, that includes a sound clip of “I missyou!”. At 810, User B receives the interactive emoji, which includessound clip of “I miss you!”. At 812, User B interacts with theinteractive emoji 810 with a sweep left to generate interactive emoji812, that includes a sound clip of “I hate you!”. Interactive emoji 812is sent to User A at 814.

FIG. 20 is just one example of a conversation between two users usingchat messages having embedded interactive messages in the form ofinteractive emojis. Similar communication may occur in direct, broadcastchat group or chat group messages. Interaction with the interactiveemoji may generate a reply message with at least one of a change inappearance of the emoji and an addition of one or more sound clips. Thereply message with the modified emoji can be sent to the sender (or agroup), and back and forth.

FIG. 21 depicts interacting with an interactive emoji in an exampleembodiment. In FIG. 21, User A sends an interactive emoji 900 to User B.User B can then interact with the interactive emoji using a variety ofinteractions, including tap, long tap, sweep right, sweep left, etc. Theinteractive emoji 90 will change appearance and optionally also play asound clip associated with the interaction.

In some embodiments, only the recipient of an interactive emoji caninteract with the interactive emoji, using taps and swipes as describedabove. When the recipient is done interacting with the interactiveemoji, an input (e.g., a long tap) indicates they are done and anacknowledgement emoji is sent back to the sender. An interactive emojimay include a set of emojis unique to the recipient (e.g., boy face andgirl face). The interactive emojis may be used between two users in theform of a game, such as rock-paper-scissors, with user interactionsrevealed only once all users have interacted or as a sequence of turns(e.g., checkers, connect four). The interactive emojis may be used forcommercial feedback, such as customer experience. The interactive emojismay be used for commercial transactions, where user interaction with theinteractive emoji completes a purchase. The interactive emojis may beused for education, where user interaction with the interactive emojicompletes a lesson for any type of educational experience.

As described above, the exemplary embodiments can be in the form ofprocessor-implemented processes and devices for practicing thoseprocesses. The chat server 102 executes computer programs to implementthe functions described herein. Also, the user devices 104 executecomputer programs to implement the functions described herein. Exemplaryembodiments may be in the form of computer program code containinginstructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CDROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium,wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by acomputer, the computer becomes a device for practicing the exemplaryembodiments. The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form ofcomputer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium,loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over sometransmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, ortransmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electricalwiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagneticradiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into anexecuted by a computer, the computer becomes an device for practicingthe exemplary embodiments. When implemented on a general-purposemicroprocessor, the computer program code segments configure themicroprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying outthis invention, but that the invention will include all embodimentsfalling within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the termsfirst, second, etc., do not denote any order or importance, but ratherthe terms first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one element fromanother. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc., do not denote alimitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least oneof the referenced item.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for communicating via chat, the methodcomprising: transmitting a first chat message from a first user deviceto a second user device, the first chat message including an embeddedexecutable command; upon interaction with the embedded executablecommand at the second user device, generating and transmitting anautomated second chat message from the second user device to the firstuser device; wherein the embedded executable command includes aninteractive emoji; wherein interaction with the interactive emoji at thesecond user device initiates the generating and transmitting theautomated second chat message from the second user device to the firstuser device; wherein different types of interaction with the interactiveemoji create different types of automated second chat messages; whereinthe automated second chat message from the second user device to thefirst user device includes a second interactive emoji; wherein thedifferent types of interaction with the interactive emoji include one ormore of tap, long tap, sweep left and sweep right, each type ofinteraction with the interactive emoji creating different types ofsecond interactive emojis.
 2. A computer program product, the computerprogram product including a storage medium readable by a processingcircuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuitfor facilitating operations of claim
 1. 3. A system comprising: memorycomprising computer-executable instructions; and a processor executingthe computer-executable instructions, the computer-executableinstructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor toperform operations of claim
 1. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thefirst chat message is a direct chat message from the first user deviceto the second user device.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the firstchat message is a chat group message providing bidirectional messagingfrom each member of the chat group to each other member of the chatgroup.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first chat message is abroadcast message providing unidirectional messaging from a broadcastgroup owner to each other member of the broadcast chat group.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising adding a sound clip to the secondinteractive emoji of the automated second chat message.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising upon interaction with the second interactiveemoji in the automated second chat message at the first user device,generating and transmitting an automated third chat message from thefirst user device to the second user device.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein the automated third chat message includes a third interactiveemoji.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the second interactive emojicorresponds to the first interactive emoji having at least one of adifferent appearance and an additional sound clip.
 11. A method forcommunicating via chat, the method comprising: transmitting a first chatmessage from a first user device to a second user device, the first chatmessage including an embedded executable command; upon interaction withthe embedded executable command at the second user device, generatingand transmitting an automated second chat message from the second userdevice to the first user device; wherein the embedded executable commandincludes an interactive emoji; wherein interaction with the interactiveemoji at the second user device initiates the generating andtransmitting the automated second chat message from the second userdevice to the first user device; wherein different types of interactionwith the interactive emoji create different types of automated secondchat messages; wherein the different types of interaction with theinteractive emoji include one or more of tap, long tap, sweep left andsweep right, each type of interaction with the interactive emojicreating different types of automated second chat messages; wherein theautomated second chat message from the second user device to the firstuser device includes a second interactive emoji; upon interaction withthe second interactive emoji in the automated second chat message at thefirst user device, generating and transmitting an automated third chatmessage from the first user device to the second user device; whereinthe automated third chat message includes a third interactive emoji;wherein different types of interaction with the second interactive emojicreate different types of automated third interactive emojis; whereinthe different types of interaction with the second interactive emojiinclude one or more of tap, long tap, sweep left and sweep right, eachtype of interaction with the interactive emoji creating different typesof third interactive emojis.